The new "New Moms" thread!

[Mickeyluver37]

Denise- Check www.carseatdata.org for compatibility with specific seats and cars. Also, I believe Marathon=Boulevard, and Roundabout=Diplomat, but the the Boulevard and Diplomat just have more padding. I've read mixed reviews about the padding being too bulky, and since we don't plan on moving Grayson up until he outgrows his infant seat, I figured we could go without spending the extra $$$. The best thing to do would be to go to a Babies R Us and test out the seats. Don't buy them there though- the best deals are online! I got Grayson's Marathon in March (with a Feb. 2008 manufacture date) at www.babycatalog.com for $199, no shipping and no tax.

Kelly- ADORABLE!!!!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

You ladies are great! Thanks for the info! So I bought some carrots to make for Mo and I've decided not to right now. Hubby can eat them! Mommy hates carrots! I'm gonna wait til he's 6 months old when his body can break down those nitrates into nitrites. I'll just buy him jarred carrots as the companies screen for nitrates and they are much lower than what I can buy. I'm told organic carrots would be better, but for now, I'll buy the jarred ones. Any other opinions from those who made their own or are making their own?

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Ugh! I don't know what was up with Owen last night. He went to bed a little late - closer to 9pm rather than 8:30 like usual - and slept great until midnight. He still had his eyes closed, so I just popped the binkie back in his mouth and he fell back asleep just fine. Then he woke up at 2am and had his eyes open, so I nursed him and he fell back asleep by 2:45 with hardly any fussing. And then he woke up at 3:30...and 4:00...and 4:15...and 4:30...and then he wouldn't go back to sleep!

I tried nursing him again, but he wasn't really interested in eating. Tried changing his diaper, checked his pjs and the bed for anything that might be poking him or something, did anything I could think of to get him comfortable and try and help him fall asleep but he just fussed and fidgeted. He would fall asleep in my arms just fine, but as soon as I laid him down he'd start screaming and the pacifier didn't help a bit. Finally at 5:30 I couldn't take it anymore so after I got him to sleep again I just took him back into bed with me. He didn't sleep very soundly (neither did I), but at least we both got some rest.

He hasn't been like this in weeks and I still don't know what his deal was. This morning he woke up all chipper, ate his breakfast, played, and fell asleep in his bed all right on schedule and with nothing unusual. Now I'm exausted, but today I have to stay awake during his morning nap because I have to answer questions for the contractors while they're working on the new laundry/office areas in the garage. I think I'm going to try dozing on the couch and just get up when they knock on the door to consult. I told DH that I'm not responsible for any weird decisions today, so if the cabinets and countertops don't quite match our usual style, he can blame Owen!

 

[ashjohnson80]

I ordered a Britax Marathon last week from albeebaby.com. I hope that it fits into my car. I have a Toyota Matrix which is like a Corolla. I got it because I couldn't fit anything into my old VW Beetle and I don't like big cars. But now I still feel so cramped for space all of the time. Hopefully I can make it work.

Ellery has been sleeping in a halo sleep sack for the past two nights. It's harder to get her to sleep, but once she goes to sleep she pretty much sleeps through the night. I'm still a little worried about her rolling to her tummy because she doesn't know how to roll back to her back yet.

 

[goudaman40]

Ugh! I don't know what was up with Owen last night. He went to bed a little late - closer to 9pm rather than 8:30 like usual - and slept great until midnight. He still had his eyes closed, so I just popped the binkie back in his mouth and he fell back asleep just fine. Then he woke up at 2am and had his eyes open, so I nursed him and he fell back asleep by 2:45 with hardly any fussing. And then he woke up at 3:30...and 4:00...and 4:15...and 4:30...and then he wouldn't go back to sleep!

ImarriedGrumpy . . . this is exactly how Abigail was when she started teething. I took nearly a week and a half for the tooth to break through; but during that time it was like I had a 2 week old all over again. It isn't unusual for babies to start teething at 4 months. Is he constantly chewing on his hand, or you? Drooling more than normal? Try a teething ring that has been chilled (we found a leap frog one that vibrates with the right amount of pressure) or you could use a wash cloth and have one corner wet, twist it, and place it in the freezer then have Owen chew on it.

The other thing that I noticed with Abigail, while she was cutting her 1st tooth, was she started putting herself to sleep about 30 - 45 minutes earlier for about a week before the strange wake ups during the night. She also had an increase in her appetite. (Also alot of congestion with the cutting of the first tooth - I'm so sick of nose bulbs and I'm sure she is too )

Anyway, these are just some thoughts for you and I really hope it works out for you soon.

Tifany

 

[mrs.explorer1977]

Ash -- if Ellery is able to lift up her head, she should be fine if she rolls onto her tummy. I was worried when Colin was first out of his swaddle (of course, he was nearly 8 months old at the time!!) but as long as she has good head control, she should be okay.

Now, Colin's a tummy sleeper (like me) and even though we put him down on his back, he rolls over right away and sticks his butt in the air and tucks his hands underneath him. It's the cutest little thing!

Hope everyone's having a great day! I've had better -- was late for Colin's pictures this morning so may have been going a teeeeeeny bit faster than I should have and got a speeding ticket. Made me even later. Moral of the story is to not speed cuz you'll probably get there sooner!

We did go to see "Made of Honor" this afternoon for Stars and Strollers at the movie theatre. I thought it was pretty good....and Colin slept through half of it! If anyone remembers "A Different World", that Cosby show spin off, Dwayne Wayne was in the movie! He was pretty funny in it!

Anyhooo....I think Colin is not going to down for another nap, so I'm off to rescue him from his crib...or maybe it's the other way around!?!

 

[kellyf2626]

We did go to see "Made of Honor" this afternoon for Stars and Strollers at the movie theatre.

Stars and Stollers....I am assuming this is some kind of mommy w/baby movie time?!?!? How cool!!! Tell more....I am very interested!!

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Stars and Stollers....I am assuming this is some kind of mommy w/baby movie time?!?!? How cool!!! Tell more....I am very interested!!

We have something called Movies for Moms at one of the big theaters in San Jose that I'm guessing is similar. Every Tues and Thurs they show a different feature film at 1:30pm and it's designed to be baby friendly - it's not kept 100% dark, it's okay if kids are a little noisy (just not running crazy), etc. and the cost is standard matinee charge for the adults, free for kids 2 and under, and $2 for kids over 3. I think Tues is the "mommy" movie and Thurs is a "kid" movie. I've been with my friends a couple times in the past, and it's fun. It's definately a different movie-going experience than a date night!

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

ImarriedGrumpy . . . this is exactly how Abigail was when she started teething. I took nearly a week and a half for the tooth to break through; but during that time it was like I had a 2 week old all over again. It isn't unusual for babies to start teething at 4 months. Is he constantly chewing on his hand, or you? Drooling more than normal? Try a teething ring that has been chilled (we found a leap frog one that vibrates with the right amount of pressure) or you could use a wash cloth and have one corner wet, twist it, and place it in the freezer then have Owen chew on it.

The other thing that I noticed with Abigail, while she was cutting her 1st tooth, was she started putting herself to sleep about 30 - 45 minutes earlier for about a week before the strange wake ups during the night. She also had an increase in her appetite. (Also alot of congestion with the cutting of the first tooth - I'm so sick of nose bulbs and I'm sure she is too )

Anyway, these are just some thoughts for you and I really hope it works out for you soon.

Tifany

Thanks, Tifany - I'll keep that in mind and see what happens! Owen did much better last night, so who knows what's up. The stinker was totally difficult for me all day yesterday, and then turned on the charm and flirted with his daddy as soon as he got home. figures! Today Owen's not been totally smiley, but he's back on his schedule and at least let me get the usual amount of sleep. Funny how sleeping from 10-12:30, 1:15-4am, and 4:45-7:15 has become "normal"....

 

[TiggerStac]

Brady caught chicken pox while we were at wdw. No doubt he caught it there..it's 14-16 day incubation period. We were there 4/18 - 4/26...so no doubt in my mind!! 4/20 is 16 days ago.

The poor thing. Doctor said it should be a milder case, cuz he had his 1st shot at his 1 month check in January.

He had a "pimple" on his head last night, but we thought it was a bug bite. We went out for ice cream last night and I was swatting bugs away. Well, getting him ready for bed tonight, they're on his upper body and after careful looking another few areas.

 

[kellyf2626]

Brady caught chicken pox while we were at wdw. No doubt he caught it there..it's 14-16 day incubation period. We were there 4/18 - 4/26...so no doubt in my mind!! 4/20 is 16 days ago.

The poor thing. Doctor said it should be a milder case, cuz he had his 1st shot at his 1 month check in January.

He had a "pimple" on his head last night, but we thought it was a bug bite. We went out for ice cream last night and I was swatting bugs away. Well, getting him ready for bed tonight, they're on his upper body and after careful looking another few areas.

Uggg....talk about a souvenir you don't want!! Hopefully it passes quickly. You are making me re-think my decision to delay the chx pox vaccine! Especially since we are going to Disney a month after his 1 year appointment!

 

[TiggerStac]

Uggg....talk about a souvenir you don't want!! Hopefully it passes quickly. You are making me re-think my decision to delay the chx pox vaccine! Especially since we are going to Disney a month after his 1 year appointment!

The funny thing, well not so funny. I got chicken pox while at WDW for my 1st visit at 4 years old in 1980!! My brother had it before we went and I got it while we were there. This was Brady's 2nd trip, but for chicken pox to be linked to WDW for both of us.

The doctor was funny when I was talking to her she said "do you know what it sounds like you're describing to me?" I said yes, chicken pox. MA is requiring doctors to do labs to confirm now, so he has to have it next week, when he goes for his 15 month check on Tuesday.. We have to run him into the office, too and they will "whisk" us back to a room. I asked if I should push it back, just in case, she said nope, they need to do the labs and this way it can be confirmed. So he won't have to have the 2nd shot before he goes to K (MA requirement) that's one plus. Now..lets hope the shot worked for my 6 year old!!

 

[mrs.explorer1977]

We have something called Movies for Moms at one of the big theaters in San Jose that I'm guessing is similar. Every Tues and Thurs they show a different feature film at 1:30pm and it's designed to be baby friendly - it's not kept 100% dark, it's okay if kids are a little noisy (just not running crazy), etc. and the cost is standard matinee charge for the adults, free for kids 2 and under, and $2 for kids over 3. I think Tues is the "mommy" movie and Thurs is a "kid" movie. I've been with my friends a couple times in the past, and it's fun. It's definately a different movie-going experience than a date night!

Same thing here -- on Tuesdays, it's offered at most theatres in Ontario (they're all the same chain). Lower sound, little bit more light, a table to change bums on, a little goodie bag when you get your ticket, and a theatre full of sympathetic mommies when your baby starts to cry. It's practically the only way I get to see movies anymore! DH jokes that I've seen more movies in the past 10 months than he has...of course, most of them have been movies he didn't want to see with me ever. I think Colin's first words will be "chick flick"!!

 

[Jen_in_NH]

I wish they did movies like that around here. Kelly, is there anything like that in Manchester? Maybe I'm too far north.

TiggerStac - Good luck with Brady. Hopefully he's not too itchy.

Christopher has apparently figured out that everyone else is not Mommy and Daddy. He usually spends Monday evenings with his grandpa and granny - I dropped him off last night, and he was a bit fussy, but not bad. They called me an hour later, and said he had been screaming bloody murder since I left. I went to pick him up, and as soon as I walked in, he was smiling and laughing. Today he was a bit grumpy for my parents when I left for work, but settled down pretty quick. I think he has the 1 year old wierds He's just a bit off.

Does anyone know when the next growth spurt should be? He seems like he's getting taller again, and eating like a horse. 2T-3T, here we come! What a good excuse to go shopping

 

[HollyJoy]

Morning, Ladies! Amanda ROLLED OVER! Yes, Miss Amanda has entered a whole new realm!! LOL We now have to be very careful about where we put her, for she rolled over (from her back to her tummy) 3 times yesterday! After about 15 minutes, and a lot of patience, I got it on video!

It's so amazing to see how much she's changing day to day! She 'talks' ALL the time, and is now laughing. Haven't quite gotten to that deep belly laugh yet, but we have squealing and squawking!! I think she's also teething EVERYTHING goes in the mouth. She has a favorite teether... dill pickles!! I'll rinse one off, and she loves to gum it. ... just like her sisters.

Brady caught chicken pox while we were at wdw. No doubt he caught it there..it's 14-16 day incubation period. We were there 4/18 - 4/26...so no doubt in my mind!! 4/20 is 16 days ago.

Oh no! Well at least he's little enough to not be obsessed with scratching! Hope he's feeling better soon!

 

[beckmrk04]

Thanks for the advice on the car seats. I think I'm going to order a Britax Marathon in "Cowmooflauge" from babycenter tomorrow. I found a coupon.

Oooooh- I wanted that one sooo bad!!! I'm definitely going to get the cowmooflauge booster when it comes time.

Car seats- I have two Britax Diplomats (one for each car). We have two small cars, and once the Diplomat came out, I snatched it up. I got mine at albeebaby.com on sale (for $199 instead of $259). I LOVE it. SO easy to install and adjust, plus it's just like the much bigger Boulevard. To adjust the harness, you just turn the knobs at the top!!! Then, we were at a Babies R Us over in St. Louis, and they had a Diplomat on clearance (box came in slightly damaged and they couldn't sell it full price)- for $100. No kidding. So, I snatched that up too. Great, great product. And Ash- I tried a Marathon in my Dodge Neon, and it fit- took up the whole back seat, but it did fit, so you should be ok.


Vaccines- I also HIGHLY reccommend Dr. Sears' vaccine book. Finally, a book with rational, unbiased information. I was very worried about our vax schedule, and my ped is pro-vax but very accommodating to my questions and ideas. So, I ordered the book as soon as it was released and read it cover to cover. And you know what? It made me feel so much better and less worried/anxious about the whole thing. So, I decided to go ahead with my ped's schedule (regular vax schedule), and it has been fine. Developmentally, Vaylie is way ahead, so I wasn't worried about those issues, and she hasn't had a bad reaction to her shots yet (just the regular fever, irritability, fussiness sort of stuff). But, no matter what you decide to do, this book will help you make a decision that feels right for your child!

And I bought my BOB Revolution Stroller (REI has them on sale for $289 this week- they are normally $359). SO, I took my yard sale funds (we made $300!) and bought my stroller. And Oh. My. Gosh. I wish I had bought this in the beginning. I LOVE it. I could go on and on for days about it. It folds so easily it's unbelievable, it takes literally zero effort to push, it rides over cracks in sidewalks and over my crappy roads with no problems, it is no heavier than my horrible travel system stroller (which I sold at the yard sale), it fits in my tiny car's tiny trunk.... Love, love, love it. I'm done with all other strollers.

Vaylie is 14 months now. She's still tiny, tiny (barely past 20 lbs). But she's walking/running all over, and has so many words already! Of course, some of them only we know, such as "gog" = "dog", and "guck" translates into "cup" and "wa-wa" means "phone" somehow. It's too cute. As for the paci thing, my kid is addicted to her pacis. She'll literally have one in her mouth, and one in each hand, and she juggles them around, takes the purple out, puts the pink in for a taste, takes the pink out, puts the yellow in for a second, and over and over it goes. She's like a little wine conniseur, only with pacifiers instead of wine. "Hmmmm, good aroma, nutty aftertones, fruity top notes, excellent vintage of silicone, wonderful mouth-feel..."

 

[7beasley]

Hi All

Beck --- so cute about Ms V and her pacis -- I can't believe she is 14 months already -- time flies!

As for vaccinations -- I hemmed and hawed a bit and did some research and talked to the ped and we have decided to get Izzy vac on the regular recommened doctor scheduled -- in fact -- she just got her 6 months vacs yesterday - and all is (thank god) well!

I just saw a thread earlier today on the CB that measles may be making a comeback in the US -- and the chicken pox news for Brady from WDW of all places is scary too.

Seems to me there are pros and cons both ways and you can always find info to justify either position -- so you just have to do what is right for you and your baby in that moment -- for us - it was vacinations.

We also hemmed and hawed about car seats and ended up getting the Evenflow Deluxe Triumphs for both of our cars - we are happy with them

So you might remember that a couple weeks ago I posted inquiring about feeding schedules and amounts because Izzy was becoming increasingly uninterested in her formula -- well -- the doctor said that was ok and said it was actually the end goal to move her off formula by 1 year and she was just resisting it a little early -- he said she clearly wants to eat so let her eat -- she is on stage 2 foods now and finger foods -- doctor said to give her anything...cut up bananas, boiled small bits of veg, macaroni, cheese, french fries...we were stunned by this! We kept reminding doctor that she was only 6 months old but he said she is ready -- she has been sitting up on her own (unassisted sitter) for about 2 weeks now -- he said she is very strong and is simply ready.

I asked him about her lack of rolling over (she only does it once in a while) and he indicated that she CAN roll over -- she just does not WANT to roll over -- sounds like I may have a stong willed little girl on my hands.

So at 6 months she is weighing in at 18 1/2 pounds and 28 inches long -- 90% percentaile for height and weight!

She is doing great though and is happy! We are trying to learn to use a sippy cup now for juice -- so far all she does is throw it!!

-Nicole

 

[Tiggerlover91]

So the Roundabout and the Diplomat are the same as far as Britax car seats go? I need to know before I order one online. I'm looking at the Diplomat I believe for the knobs and the fact that I've seen 3 places it has true side impact protection.


*****YEP! I think I'm getting the Diplomat. It's not Latch compatible, but it has proven side impact protection. I don't see that written anywhere about the Roundabout. I've found two sites that have it for $239 instead of $259. I'm gonna talk to hubby and maybe order it after he gets paid on Friday.

****Amazon has it for $215.00!!! We need to go ahead and jump on that IMMEDIATELY!!!!! I've got 2 gift cards left totaling about $40 and that would bring in down to $175. Not bad really.

 

[kellyf2626]

So the Roundabout and the Diplomat are the same as far as Britax car seats go? I need to know before I order one online.

The Diplomat has increased safety protection....side impact head shields and padding - which the Roundabout doesn't have. The Diplomat is the smaller version of the Boulevard, and the Roundabout is the smaller version of the Marathon.

The Diplomat is $239.99 on Albeebaby and the Roundabout is $189.99. I think either one is a good choice, Denise.

 

[beckmrk04]

So the Roundabout and the Diplomat are the same as far as Britax car seats go? I need to know before I order one online. I'm looking at the Diplomat I believe for the knobs and the fact that I've seen 3 places it has true side impact protection.


*****YEP! I think I'm getting the Diplomat. It's not Latch compatible, but it has proven side impact protection. I don't see that written anywhere about the Roundabout. I've found two sites that have it for $239 instead of $259. I'm gonna talk to hubby and maybe order it after he gets paid on Friday.

****Amazon has it for $215.00!!! We need to go ahead and jump on that IMMEDIATELY!!!!! I've got 2 gift cards left totaling about $40 and that would bring in down to $175. Not bad really.

What do you mean it's not LATCH compatible? Did a web site say that? Because I have two, and they definitely are LATCH compatible- they come with special LATCH connectors. My car has LATCH and we use it, DH's car does not have LATCH, so we install it with the seatbelt- both are VERY secure.

I think the Diplomat has nice features, but you couldn't go wrong with a Roundabout either!